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Royale with Cheese

February 2010

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Feb. 9th, 2010

Royale with Cheese

You'll Never Find a More Wretched Hive of Scum and Creativity

Last night was the February edition of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-art School (Atlanta Branch) at The Clermont Lounge and a drunken good time was had by all.  We had a fairly sizable and truly talented crowd. Here are a few pics; 

Julie was gorgeous and charming as hell. She came armed with an inspiring collection of costumes


Our too cute for words hostess [info]lorigami  knocked it right out of the park once again


My gift to Julie with thanks for a job well done


DJ finally took a night off and joined in the fun


The ubiquitous Joe Peery showed us how it's done


I didn't catch Sarah's last name, but her sketches were fantastic


I couldn't help myself


We hung out at The Highlander with [info]photognome  afterwards. Then Chris, DJ, Curt and I stayed up way too late drinking and shooting the shit. Feeling a little rough today.

Feb. 7th, 2010

Royale with Cheese

A Reasonably Happy Day



It was a pretty nice birthday considering that I originally hadn't planned to even acknowledge it. Chris and I worked the aquarium booth to disappointingly low crowds. Then Maria, Christopher, DJ and Brian treated me to dinner at The Blueridge Grill which was fantastic. Tomorrow; "Guy Night"!


Jan. 20th, 2010

Royale with Cheese

A Few Words about Mystery Writers...

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a sucker for a well spun detective or mystery thriller. It's that comfy middle ground between serious literature and comic books that I enjoy. Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels were some of my earliest introductions to the genre. I happened upon them in the eighties when the TV series starring Robert Urich was popular and got hooked. The early Spenser novels were truly great, and even though Parker's writing eventually became repetative and predictable, I've always maintained a deep love for his characters Spenser, Hawk, and Susan.  My own father had very little hand in raising me. It may sound trite, but most of my earliest ideas regarding the way a man is supposed to behave were reflections on ideals gleaned from Spenser novels. Anyway, I just heard that Robert B. Parker passed away yesterday at 77. Thanks for everything Sir. You'll be missed.

Robert B. Parker 1933-2010
R.I.P.

Ironically, I heard about Mr. Parker's passing on NPR as Maria and I started up the car to go and see our friend Robert Crais who is in town to promote his new novel 'The First Rule'. Many years ago, I walked into the Science Fiction and Mystery Bookshop (which sadly is no more) and told the guy I had run out of Spenser novels and needed something new. He handed me a copy of 'The Monkey's Raincoat', the first Elvis Cole novel. He said, "This is like a Spenser novel written by a guy who can write". I loved it and quickly became a devotee of Robert's novels starring Elvis Cole and his partner Joe Pike. Several years ago I attended one of Robert's signings and it turned out that we are both unmitigated comic book geeks. We struck up a friendship and try to get together whenever either of us is in each other's town. Maria and I took him to dinner tonight after the signing and a great time was had by all. Because my Nikon is still in the shop, I failed to get a pic, so I'm reposting this pic from three years ago;


Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Robert's latest, 'The First Rule'. You won't be sorry!


Jan. 12th, 2010

Royale with Cheese

Doc Fu@&ing Sketchy's!!!

Of all the crummy weeks for my Nikon to go on the fritz! Tonight was 2010's inaugural edition of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School held at the world famous Clermont Lounge. [info]lorigami  had originally booked porn star Addy Juniper for tonight's festivities and I'm sure she would have been great. Apparently she had to cancel at the last minute due to illness and luckily for all of us Kellie Leplegua is in town and agreed to fill in! (*squeeeeeee* ) Seriously, I've never had a bad time at Dr. Sketchy's and all of the models/dancers/fetish queens etc... have been wonderful, but Kellie is my hands down favorite. Never mind that she's flat out gorgeous. She possesses a natural grace and engaging demeanor that just sucks you in and makes the artist/model relationship a true joy. I'd happily build a career around drawing and painting her full time. (must do some market research...) Anyway, my Nikon is down for repair and all I had was my iPhone, so please excuse the quality of these pics... 

We had a great turnout. That's Jeremy Townsend on the left...


I came prepared...


Our perfect hostess [info]lorigami was waaaayyy too cute in her naughty little outfit and new boots...


Kellie's Wonder Woman pose...


Just before she threw up on me...


One of my anatomically challenged sketches alongside the scotch that fueled my fire...


The last pose of the evening came with a challenge. After drawing the model, draw in the most interesting background. This was Jert's entry. Kellie surrounded by the Clermont's usual dancers...


But I won with this one. Kind of speaks for itself...

Jan. 11th, 2010

Royale with Cheese

A Belated Holiday Review

Well, we're ten days into the New Year and I'm finally starting to feel like a human being again. We stayed fairly busy gig-wise even though the economy is clearly still adversely affecting things. Since Maria is freelancing these days too, the season seemed a bit more tense and we found ourselves lacking in Christmas spirit. A few days before the 25th we decided that we should put the tree up, even if it was just for the boy. Somehow the act of decorating it and unveiling it for CJ, who reacted with pure unadulterated glee, was the jump start we needed. He obviously has no idea what's going on, but was more than happy to stare up at it endlessly, grinning his cute little grin at the twinkling lights and trying unsuccsessfully to reach the ornaments. On Christmas morning, we had to demonstrate the proper fashion for tearing open gifts. He thought we were just offering him shiny boxes to play with, but after watching us tear open a few he got the idea. Here's the little bugger with some of his loot that morning; 


The next day we were back at the Aquarium running multiple tables for what is traditionally one of the busiest weeks of the year. Usually December 26th through January 2nd are just gangbusters. We actually did pretty well, but obviously folks are still a bit hesitant to let loose of the purse strings. I had intended to work every day but ended up taking two days off. One because Maria and the baby were sick and needed me at home, and the other because I was too fucking hungover. We finally managed to get a sitter for New Year's Eve after missing the neighborhood holiday party as well as Susan's Festivus party. (I finally decided that it's high time I got back in shape as I squoze my flabby ass into my tux.)Maria, Chris and I joined our friends Don and Valerie for a great dinner at The Peasant Bistro before heading over to Robyn and Stuart's New Year Disco party at the Kessler Lofts.  
This was our view of the Underground Atlanta fireworks from the rooftop of the Kessler. My Camera decided to go on the fritz so all I had was my iPhone... 


Suckin' in that gut to fit into that tux...


We worked through the 3rd and on Tuesday the 5th Maria, CJ, DJ, and Christopher and I drove to Highlands, N.C. to enjoy our friend's cabin. "Cabin" makes it sound so quaint. It's actually a huge, gorgeous house and we are so grateful to them. They're truly generous friends. We spent three days and nights reading by the fire, napping, playing with the baby, cooking incredible meals, drinking copius amounts of scotch, watching movies and playing video games. CJ got to play in his first real snow. I know it snowed back here in Atlanta, but not like up there.
This is the place. Cute huh?


It was the Artmobile's first snow too...


So now that things are winding down, I'm thinking about how to set about reclaiming myself a bit. The boy is finally sleeping through the night which means I can get back to painting. (What a wonderful thought!) Also, I seriously have put on way more weight than I'm comfortable with. Not working out regularly is only part of the problem. I've also been drinking waaaaaayyyyy too much. Sitting around most every evening for over a year waiting to tend to the needs of your son only allows for so much entertainment. My personal distraction has been scotch. Oh scotch. How I love thee.... It's time to knock it off for a while though. A few months at least while I work on getting back to my accustomed level of fitness. So tomorrow night is Dr. Sketchy's followed by a quick two day road trip to Tampa. (We have to retrieve our equipment from the failed enterprise) I know I'm going to drink at Dr. Sketchy's and Chris and I will probably hit the Boneyard in Ybor City on Tuesday night. The grand health plan will have to wait until Thursday. 

Dec. 27th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

CJ Slides


Took the boy to the playground at Centennial Park on Christmas Day. He loved the slide...

Dec. 25th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Merry Christmas!!!

Watched "It's a Wonderful Life" earlier and am wrapping up the evening with my favorite Christmas movie, "Die Hard".

Dec. 17th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Johann Hari: Republicans, religion and the triumph of unreason

From 'The Independent'; Very well put I'd say... http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-republicans-religion-and-the-triumph-of-unreason-1773994.html

Dec. 15th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Just What the Doctor Ordered! ( Doc Sketchy's that is...)

Tonight was the December edition of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (Atlanta Edition)at the world famous Clermont Lounge, and an appropriately festive time was had by all!
Our model was the quite lovely Ana Aesthetic! Quite fetching to say the least...
 
We had a great crowd...
 
Lot's of talent in this room...

Our lovely and leggy hostess [info]lorigami   took lots of pretty pictures and made sure that we kept the bar maid busy...
 
I always like to thank the model for doing such a great job with a sketch. They usually let me put my arm around them in return. Mmmmm...
 

Dec. 7th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Spotted a Time Traveler on Broad Street Today...

Dec. 1st, 2009

Royale with Cheese

More Turkey Day Pics Courtesy of My Sister...

DJ Carves...


The ever present cocktail...


A full house...


The little turkey...



Me and Bart...


Watching Bart play...



Nov. 27th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Orphan's Thanksgiving 2009!!!

I am soooooo very full right now. Not to mention full-on buzzed on scotch. We hosted about 25 very merry people. The food was outstanding! Here are a few pics...

DJ Prepares to carve the two 20 pound birds I prepared...


To work...


A full house...


Bart played a few songs but CJ stole the show...


Running from Uncle Brian...

Nov. 22nd, 2009

Royale with Cheese

CJ's First Haircut!

I honestly tried to put it off for as long as possible, but let's face it. The boy inherited his dad's ridiculously healthy head of hair. It had to be done...

Nov. 20th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Game Hens!

We've had one of our super-tight-budget-weeks. The mandate regarding meals on Super-tight-budget-week is that they must be very inexpensive to make while still being delicious. Cornish game hens are one of my favorite cheap meals to prepare. You can get two frozen hens at any grocery store for about five dollars. Add on steam-in-the-bag baby peas and quick stovetop rice pilaf and you've got an easy yet tasty meal for two for about ten dollars.
I have a few different approaches to game hens. In this case, I stuffed them with shallots and garlic cloves, brushed them with olive oil, rubbed them with salt, pepper and fresh chopped rosemary and roasted them at 350 degrees for an hour and fifteen minutes. Mmmmm...




Nov. 16th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Bart Ryan Rocks!

One of my closest friends, Bart Ryan is in town for a few days to play some gigs. He's playing the Five Spot in Little Five Points Monday night at 8:30. Forgive this vid. Shot with my iPhone;

Nov. 10th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Look Who Walks!



Nov. 9th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

I'm a bit troubled...

Over the years I've accumulated alot of friends and aquaintances. Conversely I've only made a few enemies. When it comes down to it, I genuinely like people and don't believe that you can't be friends with a person who doesn't necessarily share your personal values. After all, my personal values may seem off kilter to many but that doesn't mean I'm not a decent person. So why should I shut out another simply because they hold different values dear. I live in a downtown loft community comprised of good people who cover the gamut of humanity. White, black, gay, straight, left wing, right wing, wealthy, not so much... Over the years we've all become very social. We party together, dine together, look out for each other, and even vacation together. In spite of our differences we all bonded over the idea that we could build a real neighborhood together, and for my money, that's the way the world should be. Occasionally though, I get a glimpse of a neighbor's other side. The side that hides outside of our common bonds and am forced to wonder if I might have to re-think our friendship. That's not an idea I entertain lightly.
Here's an example of what's bothering me; One of my friends is a gay man who's been in a committed relationship for years. I love these guys to death and have always cherished the time that we've spent together. They've always been kind and generous friends. More than once, they've loaned us their beach house in Ft. Lauderdale. We've shared many a raucus drunken evening. My impressions of them were always of two free spirited, light hearted guys. They used to dress in drag and  do "Joan and Melissa Rivers" interviews at their Oscar parties. I learned early on that they both voted republican. I have never understood how a gay person can vote for a candidate that would sell them down the river to secure an election, but in their case I shrugged it off. They're in real estate so I figured it was about taxes. Last year Maria and I got together with them when we all happened to be in Miami at the same time and had dinner together. I got into a surprisingly heated argument with one of them about politics and was stunned to find out that he's actually an off-his-nut-Rush Limbaugh conservative. I'm staring into the face of a man who I've seen in a gold lame dress and high heels screaming at me like a Fox News, Glenn Beck, right wing asshat! I tried to laugh it off at the time, but lately the memory of the moment has bubbled back to the surface.
I was very excited when Obama decided to push his agenda for health care reform. As a freelance artist, I've spent most of my life uninsured because I flat out cannot afford the ridiculous payments. The idea of a public option that would force the insurance industry to play in a truly competitive market for the first time got me stoked. After all, I've got a son to care for now. So far we've been adequately covered through my wife's job, but she was laid off last year during the economic crisis. Our coverage runs out in January and we're looking at a crazy monthly cost to stay covered. Naturally I was stoked to hear this morning that the house passed the bill. The person I described in the previous paragraph posted this on Facebook this morning;

"It is a sad day in America. I hope all you free health care interlopers are satisfied. I really don't want to hear you complain when your mamogram is scheduled six months out and you miss your early opportunity to stop something awful from happening. This is the price you have thrust upon yourself and others. Sickening!"

This is just one example of my dilemma. I posted a little note on FB today regarding my pleasure at the passing of the bill and spent the afternoon arguing (on fucking Facebook!) with two other friends who are vehemently against the bill. I don't begrudge anyone a differing political view, but when I know that their opposition to important legislation is rooted in religious bullshit, I begin to lose my patience. If I hear the phrase "I don't want my tax dollars paying for abortions." one more time I'm going to slap someone's fucking teeth down their throat!
Anyway, my point is that these are people that I've always considered friends. Friend is an important word for me. I'd do anything for my friends. One of the people I'm thinking about is a guy I had to fire a couple of years ago for offending a lesbian couple. I decided that his horrifyingly bad behavior was born more out of ignorance than hatred and chose to forgive him rather than end a fifteen year friendship.  Lately though, all of his posts seem to be about how the country is going to hell in a handbasket under Obama and how we shouldn't be surprised that the Ft. Hood shooter was a muslim.
I don't think I can stand it...
So the question is; Am I kidding myself thinking that it's possible to maintain relationships with people who passionately believe in things which I find abhorrent? When is a friend no longer a friend?

Nov. 3rd, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Tonight was awesome!!!

Tonight was the inaugural edition of Dr. Sketchy's Atlanta in it's new home - The world famous Clermont Lounge! It was awesome!!! Here are a few pics...

Our model was the crazy hot 'Oni'. I mean daaaammmmnnn...


We had a great crowd. Tons of talent in this room...


Our gorgeous hostess [info]lorigamireally out did herself tonight...


I chose an unfortunate spot and ended up drawing Oni from behind for most of the evening. That's okay, Oni from behind is still a sight to see!

Nov. 2nd, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Halloween at the Aquarium

Saturday the aquarium put on special holiday festivities for the kiddies. The place was full to the gills and we had a lucrative day.


This was the best kid's costume I saw all day. In fact, it may be the best kid's costume I've ever seen.

Oct. 29th, 2009

Royale with Cheese

Aquavino 2009!

Tonight was the fourth annual Aquavino fundraiser at the Georgia Aquarium. The whole team showed up and donated their time to help keep the guests amused. I really have the best team of artists anyone could ask for. They all gave 110% and really knocked it right out of the park.

Jeremy Townsend and Tony Smith entertaining the crowd...


There were countless tables everywhere virtually covered with good food and wine...


Ladies and gents, an octopus shaped cake!


One of the bands...


To our delight, there was also a seemingly endless parade of improbably hot women...

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